The Work of a Nation

Key Events in CIA History

1942

13 JunePresident Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a military order establishing the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and naming William J. Donovan as its Director. Donovan remained a civilian until 24 March 1943, when he was appointed brigadier general. He advanced to the rank of major general on 10 November 1944.

1945

1 OctoberPresident Harry S. Truman’s Executive Order 9621 abolishes the OSS and transfers its functions to the State and War Departments.

1946

22 JanuaryPresident Truman signs an executive order establishing the Central Intelligence Group to operate under the direction of the National Intelligence Authority. Truman names the first Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), Rear Admiral Sidney W. Souers, USNR, who was sworn in on the following day.

1947

18 SeptemberThe National Security Act of 1947 establishes the National Security Council and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to replace the National Intelligence Authority and the Central Intelligence Group.

1949

20 JuneThe Central Intelligence Agency Act of 1949 provides special legal and administrative authorities and responsibilities for the Agency and the DCI.

1997

1999

26 AprilThe CIA headquarters compound is dedicated as the George Bush Center for Intelligence as specified in the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 1999.

2001

4 JuneCIA announces a major realignment of its support functions by replacing the Directorate of Administration with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), Global Support, Human Resources and Security Mission Support Offices.

2004

17 DecemberPresident George W. Bush signs the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act which restructures the intelligence community, abolishing the positions of DCI and DDCI and creating the position of the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (D/CIA).

2005

4 JanuaryCreation of the Directorate of Support, which replaces the Mission Support Offices.

2005

13 OctoberCreation of the National Clandestine Service, replacing the Directorate of Operations, to oversee the Agency’s operational activities and the task of coordinating clandestine HUMINT collection community-wide.